Leadership, service and small-business success were celebrated as the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce honored two pillars of the community during its annual dinner at Kombert Caterers at Temple Avodah.
The March 19 evening recognized Laura Lisi as Citizen of the Year and The H Academy as Business of the Year, drawing residents, business owners and local leaders for a night centered on community impact and shared pride.
Lisi, a lifelong Oceanside resident and current trustee on the Oceanside Board of Education, said she was surprised by the recognition, noting her work has always been rooted in service.
“I was so surprised to receive this recognition,” Lisi said. “I’m not doing any of those things for the recognition. It was just very nice to be honored.”
Lisi returned to Oceanside with her husband to raise their family after spending time in New York City. Her involvement began through the PTA at School No. 5, where she volunteered extensively and took on leadership roles supporting school programs and events.
Her work expanded to districtwide committees, including Parent University, building and grounds and safety, where she collaborated with administrators, educators and parents. Those experiences ultimately led her to run for the Board of Education, where she has served as a trustee for the past three-and-a-half years.
Beyond the school district, Lisi volunteers weekly with Oceanside Community Service, helping operate the food pantry by packing and delivering food to families in need. She has also co-chaired a fundraising dinner for the organization and assists with sorting and distributing toys during the community’s annual holiday drive.
For the past five years, she has also served as co-chair of Dawn Delirium, Oceanside High School’s after-prom celebration. The event provides a safe, substance-free environment for more than 400 seniors each year from midnight through early morning hours. The program holds personal significance for Lisi, whose graduating class was the first to participate.
“What motivates me is seeing how much other people in this community do,” she said. “It’s infectious.”
She credited Oceanside’s strong culture of volunteerism for inspiring her continued involvement and said she plans to remain engaged wherever needed.
“I don’t know how to say no,” she said with a laugh. “If something comes along and it’s needed, I’ll step up.”
Also honored was The H Academy, a preschool for 3- and 4-year-old children that has grown into a cornerstone of the community.
Founded by Brittany Humes and Arielle Hamill, the school was born from their time working together as preschool educators in Queens, where they developed a shared philosophy centered on individualized learning. Seeking to create a more responsive environment, they pursued opening their own school on Long Island.
After securing a location on Royal Avenue and completing a multi-year licensing process, The H Academy received approval in March 2020 — just days before the pandemic. Despite the uncertainty, the founders moved forward, opening that September with just four students.
From those modest beginnings, enrollment steadily climbed — reaching 10 students by the end of the first year and more than 50 the following year. Today, all four classrooms operate at full capacity.
“We call ourselves tiny but mighty,” Humes said. “We started with four children, and now all of our classrooms are filled.”
The H Academy emphasizes small class sizes and individualized attention, supporting children’s academic, social, emotional and physical development.
A hallmark of the program is hands-on, experiential learning. Students connect lessons to real-world experiences, such as riding the Long Island Rail Road during transportation studies, visiting local pizzerias or exploring neighborhood businesses.
That connection to the community is intentional, Humes said.
“We’ve created a community here,” she said. “You’re not just another student or another family. We know everyone — from siblings to grandparents.”
The school also prioritizes giving back, supporting PTAs, the Oceanside Fall Festival and other local initiatives. Community involvement remains central to its mission.
Humes said the Business of the Year recognition reflects both the school’s growth and its ties to Oceanside.
“It’s nice that the community itself has recognized that,” she said.
Looking ahead, the founders hope to expand while maintaining their close-knit approach. Rather than opening additional locations, they plan to build a larger permanent facility in Oceanside to serve more families without sacrificing personalized learning.
“Not one child and not one family fits into the same box,” Humes said. “Everybody is unique, and we want to support everyone where they are.”
As the evening concluded, both honorees reflected a shared commitment to service, connection and community pride.
For attendees, the event underscored that Oceanside’s strength lies in the people and organizations dedicated to making it a better place — and in the collective effort to support future generations.
